Steering assembly for intravascular catheter system

Abstract

A steering assembly for an intravascular catheter system includes a steering mechanism, a steering anchor and a first pull wire. The intravascular catheter system includes an inflatable balloon and a guidewire lumen that extends through the inflatable balloon. The guidewire lumen has a distal region. The steering mechanism is positioned away from the inflatable balloon. The steering anchor can be secured to the distal region of the guidewire lumen. The first pull wire is secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism so that actuation of the steering mechanism articulates the distal region of the guidewire lumen. The steering assembly can further include a second pull wire that is also secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steering assembly for an intravascular catheter system, the intravascular catheter system including an inflatable balloon and a guidewire lumen that extends through the inflatable balloon, the guidewire lumen having a distal region, the steering assembly comprising:
 a steering mechanism that is positioned away from the inflatable balloon;   a steering anchor secured to the distal region of the guidewire lumen; and   a first pull wire that is secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism so that actuation of the steering mechanism articulates the distal region of the guidewire lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the intravascular catheter system includes a handle assembly, and wherein the steering mechanism is positioned within the handle assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the distal region of the guidewire lumen includes a distal tip, and wherein the steering anchor is secured to the distal tip. 
     
     
         4 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the steering anchor is secured to an interior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the steering anchor is secured to an exterior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first pull wire is positioned within an interior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  wherein the steering mechanism moves the first pull wire to articulate the distal region of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The steering assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a second pull wire that is secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The steering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the distal region of the guidewire lumen includes a distal tip, and wherein the steering anchor is secured to the distal tip. 
     
     
         10 . The steering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the steering anchor is secured to an interior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The steering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the steering anchor is secured to an exterior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         12 . The steering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first pull wire and the second pull wire are positioned within an interior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         13 . The steering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the steering mechanism moves the first pull wire and the second pull wire to articulate the distal region of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         14 . A steering assembly for an intravascular catheter system, the intravascular catheter system including an inflatable balloon and a guidewire lumen that extends through the inflatable balloon, the guidewire lumen having a distal region, the steering assembly comprising:
 a steering mechanism that is positioned away from the inflatable balloon;   a first pull wire that is coupled to the steering mechanism and connected to the distal region of the guidewire lumen; and   a second pull wire that is coupled to the steering mechanism and connected to the distal region of the guidewire lumen;   wherein actuation of the steering mechanism articulates the distal region of the guidewire lumen.   
     
     
         15 . The steering assembly of  claim 14  wherein the distal region of the guidewire lumen includes a distal tip, and wherein the first pull wire and the second pull wire are connected to the distal tip. 
     
     
         16 . The steering assembly of  claim 14  wherein the first pull wire and the second pull wire are positioned within an interior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         17 . The steering assembly of  claim 14  wherein the steering mechanism moves the first pull wire and the second pull wire to articulate the distal region of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         18 . The steering assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a steering anchor positioned within the distal region of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         19 . The steering assembly of  claim 18  wherein the steering anchor is secured to one of an interior and an exterior of the guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         20 . A steering assembly for an intravascular catheter system, the intravascular catheter system including a handle assembly, an inflatable balloon and a guidewire lumen that extends through the inflatable balloon, the guidewire lumen having a distal region, the steering assembly comprising:
 a steering mechanism that is positioned within the handle assembly;   a steering anchor positioned within the distal region of the guidewire lumen and secured to one of an interior and an exterior of the guidewire lumen;   a first pull wire that is secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism;   a second pull wire that is secured to the steering anchor and coupled to the steering mechanism;   wherein actuation of the steering mechanism articulates the distal region of the guidewire lumen.